NEW DELHI, Jul 10 (NNN-PTI): Women's health is still a low priority in India, says UN in a report released on the eve of the World Poplulation Day.

Men, especially from the developing countries like India among others can play a greater role in preventing the high cases of maternal death, the report said.

More than half a million women die each year of pregnancy -related causes, 99 per cent of them in developing countries and men can have a powerful and positive influence on the health and well being of both the mother and child during pregnancy, while preparing for the arrival of the baby and during the post natal acre for the mother and the baby, said the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

On the eve of the World Population Day and the 20th anniversary of the of the Safe Motherhood Initiative, UNFPA said today the focus is on, 'Men as Partners in Maternal Health'.

In India, women's health remains a low priority, UNFPA said. Based on the National Family Health Survey III (2005-2006), the world body pointed out that 44 per cent of the Indian girls were married before they reached the age of 18. It added, 16 per cent of girls in the age group 15-19 years were already mothers or expecting their first child and that pregnancy is the leading cause of mortality in this age group.

Girls under the age group of 15 are more at risk of dying during childbirth as compared to those above 20 years,it added.

The report mentioned that 49 per cent of Indian couples used modern contraception methods and 9 out of every 10 contraceptive users were women.